Artists Teaching Art

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Collaboration, Cooperation, Communication

Artists Teaching Art (ATA) is an arts education program developed by the Sausalito Art Festival Foundation (SAFF) to serve students K-12 in both public and private schools throughout Marin County. As California schools transition to the Common Core Standards, ATA understands that arts integration is an important part of this transition. ATA along with participating schools, teachers and professional artists collaborate to create a variety of artist-in-residence projects designed to inspire children to think differently about core subjects such as, math, science, history, geography, literature and art through project based learning. The program supports deeper learning and thinking by connecting the core subject to an art form while maintaining the integrity of both the core subject and the artistic process.

I would even give up recess to work on the mural. I really enjoyed the art project and would love to do it again.

— Willow Creek Academy Student

WILLOW CREEK ACADEMY MURAL PROJECT

Spring 2014

Bahia Vista Elementary School - 1st GradeCore Subject: Life Sciences

The Four Habitats and their Animals

Bahia first grade students, classroom teachers Annie Smith, Liz Merritt, Sarah Hagerty and Cathy Argo collaborate with Artists Teaching Art teachers; painter Debra Maddox and ceramic artists Linda Weill and Tilly Nylin to create four habitats: Redwood, Salt Marsh, Desert and Ocean habitats. Each habitat consisted of a background mural, painted by the students with Debra Maddox along with the animals that are indigenous to each habitat. Artist teachers Linda Weill and Tilly Nylin worked with the children to create habitat animals out of clay teaching form and glazing techniques. “The students made good use of their time and heeded suggestions to create stronger pieces of art. I was impressed with their focus and following directions. Each piece of clay reflects their personality.” Linda Weill

Altered Books Project; Theme "This is ME!"

The objective of an altered book is to not only transform an existing book into a creative work of art but also affords on the opportunity also explore the “stories within” as one would explore the stories in a book. “During the sessions Virginia spent with our class, students were engaged, persistent ….I saw the level of engagement grow over the course of the five sessions, noticing a shift in something as seemingly subtle as the sound level between the first and last class.” Classroom Teacher Ellen Franz

Fall 2013

Davidson Middle School Grade 7 Core Subject: World History

Mosaics in the Mosque

A fascinating tour through the history of Islam, the Davidson Middle School students worked with Artist Teaching Art teachers Tilly and Zero Nylin to create colorful mosaic tiles, a journey back in time through a timeless art form. Students designed cemented and grouted the colorful tiles revealing sparkling works of art as they wiped the grout away, they were awed, amazed and surprised by the beauty that was revealed through this artist process. “I learned I am creative!” Davidson Middle School Student

Willow Creek Academy Grade 4

California Map Project

Artists Teaching Art teachers Tilly and Zero Nylin team up with the Willow Creek Academy 4th grade students and classroom teachers Lori O’Brien and Juliet Mohit to create a 6’ x 4’ topographical map of the state of California. The 4th grade Social Studies class is studying the geographical diversity of the state of California. The students, along with Tilly and Zero, design and create individual tiles that represent their part of the state. The students experienced a deeper learning and understanding of both the map making process and the diversity of the state from the great shoreline of the Pacific to the golden sands of the Mohave Desert